dressing up game in which Dad plays
the role of the dangerous enemy that
needs vanquishing by the skilled and
heroic knight, Georgina. This picture
book focuses on the wonderful world
of a child’s imagination. It is also an
entertaining tale about the loving
relationship between a father and his
daughter. DAD THE DRAGON appears in
upper case on each page, emphasising
his importance in Georgina’s real and
imaginary world. C. Keane
USER LEVEL: Early Stage 1 Stage 1
KLA:
AC; English
SYLLABUS:
English K–10
SCIS 1698781 Paper $16.95
Steam train, dream train
RINKER, Sherri Duskey, &
LICHTENHELD, Tom
Scholastic, USA, 2014
ISBN 9780545641456 [811]
The terminology
of steam
locomotives is
used throughout
this rhyming
picture book.
Accompanied
by cheerful
illustrations
unexpected places, and students will
enjoy finding this character throughout
the book. The concept of intertextuality
can be explored. Students may
recognise links with other stories
and famous paintings, while teachers
reading the book to a Kindergarten
class could ask about the many famous
cats depicted such as Puss in Boots, the
Cat and the fiddle, and the Owl and the
Pussycat. Undoubtedly, cat lovers will
enjoy this book. A. Soutter
USER LEVEL: Early Stage 1 Stage 1
KLA:
AC; English
SYLLABUS:
English K–10
SCIS 1695930 Paper $16.95
Too many stripes
O’FLYNN, Maryanne
Little Steps Publishing, NSW, 2014
ISBN 9781925117042
Individuality and
difference are the
drivers behind this
story of Zanna the
zebra who was
born without all
the usual zebra
markings. In this
picture book
the truth about Zanna’s appearance
is kept from her until she glimpses her
reflection in the river. The theme is one
that has been appropriated in many
fiction books for children and, as such,
will not hold much mystique for readers.
The illustrations appear unrealistic in
this book with insects and animals out
of proportion to each other. The style
of writing with short abrupt sentences
and oversized print may suit emergent
readers. S. Rasaiah
USER LEVEL: Stage 1
SCIS 1679908 Paper $16.95
Georgina and Dad the dragon
PICKLES, Katrien and MERRICK, Lauren
Little Steps Publishing, NSW, 2014
ISBN 9781925117196
With shades of
Robert Munsch’s
The paper bag
princess, this is
another example
of turning a classic
tale on its head
and replacing the
heroic male lead
with a strong,
confident female character. Goodbye
George, hello Georgina. Large, colourful
watercolour illustrations support the
written text to relate the story of the
showing each animal loaded with its
suitable cargo, the language rumbles
along in sync with each loading job. Set
throughout the night and concluding
with a bedroom scene showing a
miniature toy train beside a sleeping
child, this is a perfect pre-schooler’s
bedtime story. Teaching points occur
as the word choices reflect the animals’
characteristics and the verbs ably pace
the poetry through the night towards
the sleepy slowdown. Humour in the
pictures and story, including how the
weary crew are tucked into flatbed
cars to sleep, add to the engagement
of this verse story. Identifying
concepts such as personification and
onomatopoeia in this read-aloud story
make it a useful adjunct to an English
program. S. Rasaiah
Steam train, dream train by Sherri Duskey
Rinker & Tom Lichtenheld – book trailer by
Chronicle Books.
2015 Volume 34, Issue 3 70
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